Dan Snow's History Hit
Henry VIII's Tudor Christmas
Dec 11, 2024
Tracy Borman, Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces, and Richard Fitch from the Historic Kitchens Team explore the extravagant Christmas celebrations of Henry VIII. They reveal how the King feasted on lavish dishes like roast swan and venison pasties, famously spending £13 million on festivities. The discussion unveils the complex interplay of festive traditions, from the grandeur of the royal court to the simpler celebrations of commoners, and the essential role of kitchens in Tudor charity and communal dining.
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Quick takeaways
- Tudor Christmas embodied excess and communal joy, highlighted by lavish feasts and extravagant celebrations lasting a full 12 days.
- The religious significance of Christmas was intertwined with social customs, reflecting the blending of pagan and Christian traditions in Tudor society.
Deep dives
The Origin of Christmas Celebrations
Tudor Britain played a significant role in shaping contemporary Christmas celebrations, with customs such as carol singing, mince pies, and the festive spirit evolving during this period. One of the most notable characteristics of a Tudor Christmas was its grand scale, lasting a full 12 days, during which revelry and hospitality were paramount. Henry VIII's court exemplified this excess, with gatherings that involved extravagant decorations, entertainments, and copious amounts of food. Ultimately, these Tudor customs laid the foundation for many of the Christmas traditions still recognized today.
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